Inductees

Athlete Bio

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Joseph Callahan

Class of 1949

Joseph Patrick Callahan was one of several athletic success stories at Concord High School in the 1940's. The 1949 graduate was a four year starter, and captain in his senior year, of the glorious football Squads which began their run of undefeated games in 1946. Although Joe's first love was grinding it out on the Emerson Field gridiron in the autumn, he also stayed busy in the winter and spring seasons with basketball and baseball.

Even though Joe's opponents across the line of scrimmage almost always outweighed him, he had the advantage of superior quickness. And his grit and strength enabled him to hit hard and hold his block long enough for the speedy Concord backs to get through the hole. A hard hitter on defense as well, Coach Megin called Callahan "one of the best defensive players in the area...he will be heard from in college." Megin was proven correct when Joe garnered team MVP and Lowell Sun All-Star honors in both his junior and senior years.

In the off-season Joe was a three year basketball starter at the guard position, although his toughest battles were after practice against young coach Walter Carew. In the spring he was a four year letterman in baseball, where he roamed the outfield and used his speed to flag down many rally-ending fly balls.

Upon graduation, Joe prepped for a year before going on to St. Bonaventure and the University of Dayton, where he played under Coach Hugh Devoe, now with the Baltimore Colts.

After completing his formal education Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army and represented the armed forces in football for two years, competing against some of the best teams the country had to offer. Joe's brother Gene was another athletic standout at Concord High School. Joe and his wife Joan raised three children, Colleen, Kate, and Joe Jr., who followed his father's footsteps to Dayton.